Year 1999 (1999) Created 1999 | Type Pink dress Designer Ralph Lauren | |
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Similar Red Versace dress of, White floral Givenchy dress of A, Swan dress, Yellow Valentino dress of, Green Versace dress of J | ||
The Pink Ralph Lauren dress of Gwyneth Paltrow refers to the pink dress, designed by Ralph Lauren, which Gwyneth Paltrow wore to the 71st Academy Awards on 21 March 1999 at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles. The dress is cited by several sources as one of the greatest dresses in the history of the red carpet of the Oscars, and the style was compared to that of the actress Grace Kelly. The dress was widely copied after the event, and Paltrow was credited for bringing pink back into fashion.
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Design
The actress was accompanied to the event by her parents. Paltrow received an Academy Award for Best Actress for her portrayal of Viola De Lesseps in the film Shakespeare in Love. The soft pink gown designed by Ralph Lauren was made of taffeta, and has a relatively simple design. The dress has a long, wide skirt and a bodice with straps and V-shaped neckline; a scarf of the same color was tied to it. With her dress, Paltrow wore Harry Winston jewelry (necklace, bracelet and earrings valued at around $160,000), which had been a gift from her parents.
Reception
In numerous surveys, the pink dress has been remembered as one of the greatest dresses worn on the red carpet of the Oscars and was ranked highly in a list of the greatest Oscar dresses by TIME Magazine. However, fashion critics were initially divided in opinion regarding Paltrow's choice of dress. TV Guide.com tells how one critic described the actress as "a Barbie doll wrapped in a satin ribbon." One commentator called it "incongruous with the current fashion", but "suitable Gwyneth Paltrow". The actress revived the fashion of pale pink and her selection of Ralph Lauren proved to be well received by the public and was widely emulated. Paltrow is credited as bringing pink back into fashion. An owner of a teen apparel boutique in Westport, Connecticut remarked, "The year before, I wouldn't have even looked at anything pink. It would have reminded my customers of when they were little girls. Paltrow made the color cool. And Paltrow's Oscar dress turned into the number one prom dress style of the year thanks to ABS and Allen Schwartz, who is famous for making low-priced copies of Oscar dresses."
In 2005, at the 77th Academy Awards, Gwyneth Paltrow wore a long, strapless dress designed by Stella McCartney, which was somewhat similar in color and style to the Ralph Lauren dress.